Vacuum cleaner nozzle



Nov. l0, 1953 Filed Aprii 22. 195o C. E. M EYERHOEFER VACUUM CLEANERNOZZLE- 2 Sheets-Sheen 1 IN V EN TOR.

TTORNEYS Nov. 10, 1953 c. E. MEYl-:RHOEFER 2,658,228

VACUUM CLEANER NozzLE Filed April 22 195o 2 sheets-sheer 2 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Nov. 10, 1953 VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE Carl E. Meyerhoefer,Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Lewyt Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application April 22, 1950, Serial No. 157,530

3 Claims. l

This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improvednozzle for use with a vacuum cleaner or similar suction-producingapparatus.

It is an object of the invention to provide a unit of this type andwhich will be particularly useful when employed in industrialassociations and in other instances where relatively large surfaces arepresent. While the present unit may traverse and clean oor coverings, itis especially intended to be employed on bare wooden floors, concrete,linoleum, and similar surfaces especially where large areas areinvolved.

A further object is that of furnishing a vacuum cleaner nozzle which maybe readily manipulated by the operator and which will cooperate with asurface to be cleaned with such efficiency that particles of matter willbe loosened and completely removed from the surface even although thenozzle is traversed over the deck for a minimum amount of time insteadof being repeatedly shifted back and forth across an area to be cleaned.

Another object is that of providing a mechanism of this type which willembody relatively few parts each individually simple and rugged inconstruction, these parts being capable of ready assemblage and when soassembled fur--` nishing a compact `article operating over long periodsof time with freedom from all dilculties.

With these and other objects in mind reference is had to the attachedsheets of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of theinvention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the nozzle;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the sole or glider plateremoved;

Fig. 4. is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 4 4 and inthe direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines 5 5 and in thedirection of the arrows as in dicated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines `6-6 and inthe direction of the arrows as also indicated in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 'I-'I and inthe direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 2.

In these views the numeral I0 indicates the body of the nozzle which ispreferably formed of a relatively light weight metal and which ishollow. In accordance with conventional construction, this body embracesfront and rear walls spaced from each other. These walls are yconnectedadjacent their ends by side wall portions. All of these parts arepreferably integral with each other and extend upwardly to furnish ahousing or cover portion. Thus, only the lower edges of these walls denean opening which functions as the suction mouth for the nozzle.Extending rearwardly and upwardly from this body is an outlet hub II bymeans of which it may be connected to a suction-producing apparatus (notshown). Such connection will, in the usual manner, ordinarily include ahose, wand section, etc. In accordance with conventional practice astrip I2 of yielding material may extend around body IIJ and provide acushion or bumper so that the nozzle will not come into damaging contactwith walls, articles of furniture, etc.

Extending longitudinally of the nozzle body and substantially centrallythereof is a partition I3. This partition may be integral with body IIJ.The central portion of the partition is bowed or extended forwardly asindicated at I3. This part is provided at a point preferably centrallyof the ends of partition I3 and thus substantially in line with theoutlet II. A second partition I4 is provided to the rear of and spacedfrom partition I3. The partition is spaced forwardly from the inner faceof the rear nozzle wall. Likewise, partition I3 in addition to beingspaced forwardly of partition I4 is spaced from the inner face of theforward wall of the nozzle body. Thus, a well portion is furnishedbetween the nozzle body and partition I4 which fportion may be occupiedby a brush, squeegee or similar unit as will be hereinafter described.As is apparent, space also exists between the front surface of body I0and partition I3. Extending across this space to provide supports and tolrigidify the nozzle are a series of transverse webs or partitions I5.Certain of these partitions are disposed more closely to each other thanto the remaining partitions of the assembly. The pairs of partitionsthus provided mount opposed retaining portion I6. The outermost of theseportions are disposed immediately in advance of partitions I3. Thecentral pair of portions I6 are preferably provided adjacent the forwardwall or surface of body I0. Rollers I'I are arranged between the pairsof portions I6 and have their shafts I8 riding in bearing contact withthe receiving portions I6. The height of the partitions I5 mounting thebearing portions I6 and the diameter of the rollers Il is such thatformed with openings 22 through which rollers;

I1 may extend. It is also formed with an opening 23 in line with theforwardly extending portion I3 of partition I3. To eachsideof opening 23plate I9 is formed with agseriesof "relatively:

narrow and long slots 24. Each of these slots is framed or defined by adownwardly extending bead or lip 25. A similar lip portion 26 'definesor frames the opening 23. The front andJear edges of plate I9 arepreferably upturned as ini,

dicatedY at 21. The length of partition. I3.is such that itwillengagetheinnenface-of the plate whenthe latterisproperlymounted upon the..Therefore under such cony body .of` the nozzle. ditions,` thecompartments of the nozzleare-isolated from each -otherinsofar as a flowof air from-one .to another is concerned.

Withinthe rea-r compartment or wellof the nozzle-between -the-rear faceof bodyV I0 and partition I4 a brush mayA be disposed.. Thisbrushpreferably includes a row of bristles or tuftsj secured to abacking strip 29. extending retaining'members 30 are mounted adjacent`the-.ends of; body.l0 in line with-the rear wallportion and theseelements overlap the ends;- o1 strip 29. Accordingly, -the latter; willnot shift from-a positlonrwithin: the well. This brush'isnormallyretalned in projected. position as shownv especially in Figs. 4and 5 :byconveniently emplaying-a spring 3| which'may haveits centralportion-formed with an opening through which aretaining pin- 32 passesin-linewitnthe lower surface of the outlet -hub Il.

Inwardly` spring bear Aagainst the upperedge of stripA 29 to each sideof .the centerof thelatter to achieve the desired-result.. At thistimeit isto be -under- A stood thatv while in most finstances-aibrush willbevassociated withthe nozzle andextend into4 therearwell, portionofthesame,V a -rubber squeegee-or metal 1 scraping `plate mightr vbie-thuspositioned. In such latter event, it is again pre-- ferred thatthe-squeegee or blade have an outline'similarto that of the brush.assembly. so-` thatv it'may be properly retained against detach- Y ment.from thev nozzle although .such detachment U nmybeapossibleofachievement by .anoperator upon removing the retaining members 30.

Withr the -parts assembled it is preferredthat. the sole or glider plateI!! have the main surface-. otitslower face spaced from the surface to4be` The lips.or beads 25 and 426 should extendA downwardly. so that..they clear `the supporting surface engagedby With the. i brush. oritsequivalent fully projecteditwouldiextend.. z, approximately 1/4 belowthezsurface of the plate., Therefore., undery normal conditions, the.brushor squeegee will contact the surface being cleaned...withsubstantial force and will serve to support the rear part of thenozzle.l Under all circumstances thisbrush or itsr equivalent willprevent.- particles from freely passing under the nozzle..A

Using a nozzle of this type-and-withthe parts i proportioned generallyas 4indicatedf;it-fwill befound that particles of loose materialapproachedcleaned by approximately 115'?.

rollers .l IY approximately 3153.

4 by the forward end of the nozzle will be drawn with considerablevelocity towards the slots 24 and the opening 23. The latter will, ofcourse, permit of the passage of larger particles than can pass throughslots 24. The velocity of movement of the particles is caused because ofthe close spacing of the sole plate from the surface being treated andespeciallyithe lip or bead portionsv 25 andl 26. The full force of thesuction developed by the apparatus connected to the nozzle acts on therelatively small openings 23 and 24. Thus, particles will moverearwardly of the nozzle and will strike against the forward face ofthebrush ,or other-member. From this face they willreboundlforwardly so asto be substantially vin line-with the opening 23 or slots 24throughwhich they will pass to the dust collecting apparatus.

Particles vadhering to the surface being cleaned will be freed from suchsurface either by contact withzthe brush or theelement-substitutedtherefor. Where necessary the operator and may causethat surface to be scrubbed which will loosenthe particles of matteradhering thereto. The nozzle may be effectively employed even wheremoisture is present upon that surface and especially ifa squeegeeorscraper blade is inassociation with the nozzle. Due to the highvelocityfof. ilow there will be-no'danger ofvmoist particles. adheringto the nozzle surfaces.. Also particles which still remain adherent tothe sur face being cleaned vwill,.of course, be loosened vbythe actionofany squeegeeorblade which might -be employed.

Thus, among others, the several objects of .the invention asspecifically aforenotedare achieved.;V

Obviously numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of theparts might be resorted to=l without departing from'the spirit of theinvention asdened by the claims.

I claim:

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzleincludlng in-coin-y binationspaced front andrear walls connected to each .other adjacent theirupper and side edgestof provide a nozzle. body having. a downwardly `opening suctiommouth, apair :of .partitions spaced" from i. eachother andfalso fromf said.front and rear.;walls,.-said partitions being disposed germer--r allyIparallertoeachfother andto said rear wall and within the mouth of saidbody. webs extend-r.Y

ingsbetweengthe foremost; partition and the inner rface yoi? said f:front. wall,1pairsv of retaining portions; supportedv Aby said webs,rotatable units carried by said portions and .extending below the nozzlemouth, an outlet:hub carried Aby said body and communicating iwith thefspace betweensaid partitions, anda "floor-contacting and cleaningelement supported by said body at apoint betweeri-.therearmost ofsaidwpartitions and said rearwall.

2. A vacuum cleanerfnozzle including in com- Y bination spaced frontrand .rear walls connected to eachother adiacenttheir upper. and sideedges to provide a nozzle body having a downwardly: opening suctionmouth, a pair of partitions spaced from eachother and also fromsaid-front andrrear walls, said-partitions vbeing disposed `gener-lally.- parallel to. each other and-to said rearswalls and.withinithemouth of-said body, webs extend-l ing between the foremostpartition andthe in-y ner face of said front wall.. pairs of retainingportions supported-by. said webs, rotatabieunits carried byusaidportions and--extending-belowthe-A nozzle mouth, an outlet Ihubcarriedbysaid 'body7 will,` ofcourse, flowwater over the surface to be cleanedand communicating with the space between said partitions, afloor-contacting and cleaning element supported by said body at a pointbetween the rearmost of said partitions and said rear wall, a gliderplate in contact with the lower edges of said partitions and extendingrearwardly from said front wall, said plate being formed with openingsthrough which said units extend and further openings in line with thespace between said partitions and through which latter openings air isto pass.

3. A vacuum cleaner nozzle including in combination spaced front andrear walls connected to each other adjacent their upper and side edgesto provide a nozzle body having a downwardly opening suction mouth, apair of partitions spaced from each other and also from said front andrear walls, said partitions being disposed generally parallel to eachother and to said rear wall and within the mouth of said body, websextending between the foremost partition and the inner face of saidfront wall, pairs of retaining portions supported by said webs,rotatable units carried by said portions and extending below the nozzlemouth, an outlet hub carried by said body and communicating with thespace between said partitions, a door-contacting and cleaning elementsupported by said body at a point between the rearmost of saidpartitions and said rear wall, one of said partitions being formed withan extended portion in line with said hub, a glider plate extendingrearwardly from said front wall in contact with and across saidpartitions, said plate being secured to said body and formed withopenings through which said units extend, further relatively long andnarrow openings in line with the space between said partitions and anenlarged opening in line with said hub and the extended portion of saidpartition.

CARL E. MEYERHOEFER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,033,016 Hope July 16, 1912 1,629,801 Lindgren May 24, 19271,646,088 Green Oct. 18, 1927 1,787,537 Leahy Jan. 6, 1931 1,976,998Kirby Oct. 16, 1934 2,157,077 Kroenlein May 2, 1939 2,274,560 Ott Feb.24, 1942 2,310,554 Seyfried Feb. 9, 1943 2,322,804 Kinsella June 29,1943 2,536,443 Hammell Jan. 2, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date291,790 Great Britain Aug. 23, 1928

